Blancpain

You guys have been amazing with the range of vintage Fifty Fathoms pieces that you have acquired and photographed.  I lay no claim on that territory and have to make do enjoying your posts!  Thanks for those.

I can at least contribue a little bit with a nice photo of my current production watch.  Took this one at a different angle than the one I have previously posted.

Simply put, this is just a great watch to wear.  Comfortable and robust.

Jeff

Here's a Klagenfurt Shot ( Austria ) of a 50Th Anniversary:



You're right, Jeff...This simple FF is awesome, and it is really a pleasure to wear it.

Best,

Nicolas

With time I would be a happy boy if a could add a moder FF to my little collection of vintage.

What better than a thema like this?!!

Perfect pic... thanks for shaing this modern  Beast!

Best

Emilio

ok they look nice in the dark ...



but even better in the light ...







(above the water)



(inside the water)

Beside some really nice vintage FF´s ...



we have three (!) newer FF´s:



One is my favourite, just because of ...







the movement

Very accurate, very reliable and it gives you a very smooth feeling if you have to wind it up.

Oliver

ps: I mentioned three (above), just because I don´t count the variations in colours ...

Yep, the Caliber on the new FF is really awesome!

Best,

Nicolas

There is something overlooked many times when it comes to sport watches.  It seems that even the most diehard collectors talk only about the outside of the watch--the case, the bezel, the strap, the dial etc.  And it seems to be getting worse in these days when materials are sometimes seen as an end unto themselves. 

But do you notice how quiet some of these sport watch guys get when it comes to talking about the technical features and finishing of the movement?  I must say that I am a great fan of the 7750 as a useful, brilliant even, piece of engineering.  Edmund Capt created one of the single most popular, reliable, and, here comes that word again, useful movements in watch making history.  But let's face it, the 7750 is meant for INEXPENSIVE watches.  It is not a luxury movement.  It was designed to be inexpensive.  It has no place in a $20K time piece.  So no matter how fancy the case is, how elaborate the dial, how many materials have been brought together for the watch, a 7750 based $20K watch is of no interest to me.  None at all.

The Blancpain is different.  Yes, it is an expensive sport watch.  But the substance to justify that price is there.  And the best place to start is the movement.  Manufacture exclusive caliber.  Free sprung balance with gold regulation screws.  Three mainspring barrels, carefully calibrated to deliver even power over the full power reserve.  5 day + power reserve.  Extra large jewels.  Of course I love the sapphire bezel (and particularly its robustness) and all the details of case, dial and strap.  But being a gear head, it is the movement that pops into my mind every time I strap on the watch. 

Jeff

Forgot I had this.  This is a pre-production "mule" so it has been abused and taken apart and reassembled countless times, not to mention banged around in the technical bureau.  But it does show the beauty of the movement and its special soleil finish which was specially developed for this movement--the idea being that classic cote de geneve did not fit a sports watch movement.

 

Jeff

No message body

point out the best feature of the FF Ref. 5015.

You mentioned the probably most well known and most widely used chronograph movement: Valjoux 7750

What comes to my mind: The strength of the Ref. 5015 is the "weakness" of the Ref. 5085.

The "problem" (at least for me) is not the quality and the reliability, but the small size of the movement:


inside a watch which is 45mm!?

BP has shown us some nice (bigger) movements:

• calibre 13R0
• calibre 1315
• calibre 225
• calibre 5215
• calibre 66R9

Why didn´t they wait some more time to present the FF crono, until they have a fitting movement?

I know BP is able to do a lot of great things, but sometimes I really don´t understand them.

Oliver

Hi Oliver:

Honestly Blancpain has really been doing a lot with its new movements.  I can count seven new calibers that came out in a 2.5 year period:

• 13R0.  Eight day power reserve manual wind with titanium balance, free sprung balance, Breguet overcoil and three barrels.
• 1315.  Five day power reserve, automatic winding, free sprung Glydur balance, three barrels.
• 225.    Carrousel.  Lot's going on here.  First flying carrousel.  First one minute carrousel.  Longest power reserve for a carrousel
• 13R5.  Eight day power reserve, automatic winding, titanium balance, free sprung balance, three barrels
• 66R9.  Eight day power reserve, automatic winding, titanium balance, free sprung balance, three barrels, complete calendar moon phase integrated into the movement
• Tourbillon GMT.  Eight day power reserve.  Tourbillon with two time zones.
• 500 Fathoms GMT.  Five day power reserve.  GMT.  Free sprung balance, three barrels. 

That's a lot.  How many new movements has Patek done in this period?  All of us would like more new stuff like this because the new stuff is so good.  So I keep saying "more! more!"

mentioned just 5 - ok.

It was not my target at all to mention them all, just because this is not my point.

Let me try it again: Slim movements are not famous for "toughness"

To me the idea behind the Calibre 1315 is clear - reliability, accuracy and "toughness".

A sports watch like the FF chrono should cover the same idea as their family member the simple FF. Is it just me?

To me the FF 5015 is a bold statement for a new sports line. As I wrote before: The strength of the 5015 is the weakness of the 5085.
I paid for the strength of the simple FF and would never spend my money for the weakness, which is not easy because the FF chrono looks very nice

Jeff, I know that good things need their time. No problem with waiting, but with inconsistent philosophies - from my point of view.

Oliver

ps: Comparisons with other brands are in this case no added value, at least for me.

Oliver I agree on comparisons in general.  My point was simply that a huge effort has been expended in developing a lot of really good movements and more will come.  Most other brands have not been working as hard and I thought a bit of perspective would be fitting.

the best diving watch.....

Cheers

You know I take your opinions seriously, so is the BB50 the best diving watch? 

Best,

respo

Please bear in mind, my friend, that I am of course not an expert and many in this forum would disagree with me on this. However..... It is a classic watch from a great manufacture, a great history, aclassic design and extremely comfortable to wear- both the strap and the bracelet. And this comes from someone that does not own a single watch with a bracelet. JLC does make an awesome diving watch too but if I were to chose one, it would be the FF. Now my Darth Vader is the ultimate, at least for me

Again there many excellent choices regarding diving watches, but for me FF is at the top Cheers

You're very persuasive, and that photo of your black BP50 is as well. I have not been a big fan of the all-black watch until this one, which is beautiful. 

Thanks, buddy.  You continue to make my life difficult. LOL.

respo

What are friends for...

Glad to contribute so your choice is more difficult ... LOLOL

Cheers

I acquired couple of watches this year, but FF has most of the wrist time. Such a beautiful creation from Blancpain, it, represents the vintage and modern interpretation of a perfect diver

 

The FF in all its beauty!

Thanks for sharing it with us.

Best,

Nicolas